Government foreign policy
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 5th sitting, information briefing
Date: 2025-02-19 14:01
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 13
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
In the Riigikogu information session, the government's foreign policy was discussed, initiated by a question from Riigikogu member Lauri Laats (Center Party) to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. Laats highlighted the statement by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna that war in Ukraine "will most likely come" to Estonia, which has sown panic among the people. Laats asked whether such a minister should have a place in the government, considering the Prime Minister's previous position that panic should not be sown.
Prime Minister Kallas affirmed the Foreign Minister's position and emphasized that Russia has long been a known source of risk in the form of hybrid activities and conflicts. Kallas rejected a posture of worry, advising to be "ready, not worried" as an example from the Finns. She stressed the need to strengthen Estonia's defense capabilities, referring to the increase in defense spending to 5% of GDP. Subsequently, the discussion evolved toward energy policy, where Laats referred to proposals from other European countries (Poland, France) and the USA (Trump) to critically review climate goals and the Green Deal. Kallas explained that Estonia's energy policy (including desynchronization and the development of renewable energy) is directly linked to security and affordable prices, not just climate policy, and corrected Laats' understanding of Donald Tusk’s proposals. Colleague Vadim Belobrovtsev asked about Estonia's role in international negotiations in the context of the war in Ukraine. The Prime Minister replied that Estonia must ensure its own defense, support Ukraine (so that it is in a strong position in negotiations) and drive its course in Europe to increase collective readiness.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Lauri Laats, a member of the Riigikogu, asks the prime minister about Kristen Michal's government's foreign policy.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasizes the need to avoid panic, because people are worried about Ukraine and geopolitics, and he asks about a statement from the foreign minister that spreads panic and whether such a minister still belongs to the government.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal noted that the post of foreign minister is a natural fit in the cabinet, and Russia is a continuing risk and a source of hybrid attacks, therefore Estonia, as a NATO member, must be strong and prepared and increase defense spending by about 5%, not to worry, but to focus on readiness.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and asks Lauri Laats to present a clarifying question.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats said that panic must not be spread and that we must be prepared and take the necessary steps, but around the world major energy-policy decisions are being made (Tusk, Macron, the EU, Trump), which show that adherence to climate targets must remain and that our energy policy must take them into account.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This is a short call to action: now is your time.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
We don't want to see what is actually happening in the world and what decisions will be made in the near future.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks and turns to the prime minister with a request.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The prime minister confirms that the government will strengthen energy security, reduce the use of fossil fuels, invest in renewable energy, and desynchronize the energy grid, and discusses extending the ETS reform to the following sectors in order to ensure the lowest price and the nation's security.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and informs that his colleague Vadim Belobrovtsev will ask the supplementary question.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They express concern about the accelerating pace of world events and the involvement in the international process surrounding the Ukraine conflict, and invite discussion of Estonia's foreign policy direction, various scenarios, and our role, especially if military action in Ukraine is halted or the conflict frozen.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that Estonia must continue to ensure strong defense and investments, balance the budget with public sector cuts, and introduce a time-limited security tax, accelerating the review of European rules for the procurement of weapons and capabilities, while standing with Ukraine and giving it more support, so that Europe and Estonia are stronger, and by next year defense spending will be about 3.7% of GDP.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Thank you very much — today we will finish the discussion of the first question.